Yes morehens disease is a very serious condition! Last year I started out with 12 white leghorn hens and roo. I now have 25 leghorn hens, 1 RIR, 2 barred rock, 3 mixes and a Delaware roo. That's not counting the chicks 18 RIR,3 Delaware, 1 Black Orp, 6 Jersey Giant. I also have 25 more chicks on order :/
Edited to add I forgot about the 7 eggs in the incubator oops.

Hi, I am in Lansing, NY, in the Finger Lakes. This is such a wonderful forum. I've learned a lot, although one thing I haven't figured out, and that's how not too have too many chickens. And I have too many chickens! I have (blush) 25. Five cockerels, two hens, eighteen pullets. Mostly welsummers, four silver laced wyandottes, four EE's, one speckled sussex, one golden comet. And four of the cockerels are Golden penciled hamburgs. (And there are, um, seventeen eggs in an incubator.)

Help?

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That's why we suggest to newbies BUILD THE COOP BIG!
Last spring, dh wanted 6 chickens for the kids to have experience with. We now have 18 black australorps, 9 production/red sex links, one buff orpington and 7 tetra tints.
We expanded our coop last year by 10x10'. Now it's 2 rooms... one 10x12' or so, and one 10x10'. Hmmmmmm...... according to things I've read, I could fit more chickens!
I'm hoping for a broody this spring and just let nature take its course.

I'm glad for cooler temps and frozen ground. Mud season is long enough as it is!!! Dyed the vents on 3 buckeyes this morning. I want to add their eggs to the shipment Of eggs i will be receiving on wednesday. Incubator gets fired up on Thursday. It is about time I did something to relieve this hatching fever of mine!!

Welcome to all the new folks. This is a nice thread and there are lots of very knowledgeable people who can comment on issues we all have at various times. Sometimes the knowledge seems conflicting, then it requires more research, or experimentation. There is no one way.

I have been struggling lately with the reality that if I get chicks, I am likely to have some cockerels, and then there are disagreements in the chicken yard. To some with experience, turning their extra cockerels into dinner is no big deal, but it is hard for me. I am on the lookout for someone in the area who would butcher my chickens, or my latest idea is to learn myself on a chicken to which I have no attachment. My friend has a cousin who has an organic farm, so I have suggested she and I volunteer to help the next time they process chickens. That way I would learn how to do the job, and see if I could do it. I have appreciated the support folks have given me on this issue.

I put the wooden eggs, which are white! In the nest box. Earl was very interested, and later someone had rearranged them. We shall see.

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Yup. Been there, done that. When I first had too many roosters I tried to give them away on Craig's List. It worked, kinda. I put "if you really want my silkie roos, but already have too many roosters of your own, let's trade". And one person took me up on it. Brought me 2 of her roosters that she didn't need and were all grown up and took 2 of my silkie roosters which are yucky to eat (at least in my mind). The next morning we butchered the new to us roosters that we hadn't named, didn't know from adam with absolutely no guilt or feeling at all. Now I can butcher any of my birds that are no longer needed in my flock. Well, except the D'uccles. They are pets.

Hi, I am in Lansing, NY, in the Finger Lakes. This is such a wonderful forum. I've learned a lot, although one thing I haven't figured out, and that's how not too have too many chickens. And I have too many chickens! I have (blush) 25. Five cockerels, two hens, eighteen pullets. Mostly welsummers, four silver laced wyandottes, four EE's, one speckled sussex, one golden comet. And four of the cockerels are Golden penciled hamburgs. (And there are, um, seventeen eggs in an incubator.)

Def: Morehens Disease: (Noun, verb depending on season) Incurable desire to own more birds, including but not limited to: chickens, ducks, turkey, quail, and peacocks. Symptoms begin with the purchase or otherwise obtaining 2 - 6 birds of one species or breed. As disease progresses more breeds of original species are added (usually because they are "cute" or "lay more eggs" or "are dual purpose". Additional reasons have been used by various people to justify adding to their flock) There have been cases of the disease going into remission, usually due to housing constraints. Once the houseing problem is solved the disease progresses to fill all available space. Suffers of this disease are usually carriers too, spreading the disease to neighbors, friends and family members in an attempt to free housing space at their own location so they can continue to obtain more and newer birds. Sufferers should refrain from owning an incubator. See: "hatching fever" .

(If you or anyone you know suffers from Morehens, please stay away from me, my coop is full to bursting and I have the potential to obtain 96 chicks if all the eggs hatch. Thank you)

The past few days anything with any seasoning makes me feel like a balloon. And samoas girl scout cookies were my favorite, but I don't want anything to do with them now. I am liking peanut butter. The cookbook from America's test kitchen has been on my wish list on the frig for over a year now. Since we got our taxes back I think I'm going to splurge and buy it for myself. That show is my favorite. When would you like some blue golden cuckoos?

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We had a box of Samoas, they lasted one week which is pretty good for the two of us. Thin mints are in the freezer for emergencies. Last year before hubby's b-day I subscribed online to get access to some recipes. Made Peanut Butter Frosting from scratch that was very tasty on some box-made chocolate cupcakes. So before it expired this year, I got a call offering one of those free trial offers. Well, he liked it so it only cost me $34 to keep it. It is all the 2012 Cook's Country magazines in one book, plus Cook's All-Time Favorite Recipes (where this year's cake recipe is from). I just did our taxes this week, hoping our taxes will pay for water and electric to the barn, then fuel oil refill, then the rest will be to pay bills when my paycheck is shorted this summer. Oh fun stuff.
We aren't set up for chicks yet, even though I have the spring fever. Probably in mid-April would be better, when is starts getting a little warmer in the garage. I have the heat lamp, need to get the tank back. I learned the first year why everyone says not to brood in the house.

For those familiar with both breeds, how does the SIZE of the EGG differ between production/red sex links and black australorps?
The reason I ask is because all my australorps seem to be laying, but the size of the egg is still pretty small compared to the other hens I have. They have been laying for a month or two. They are supposed to lay a large egg, so I'm wondering (hoping) the eggs will get bigger.
Anyone know?

I'm in Duanesburg NY (near Schoharie ) right now we have EE's a Golden comet and a White Crested Black Polish Roo. My 9 year old has such a passion for chickens I'm letting him lead my projects. He decided he wants to raise and breed WCB Polish chickens. He also wants to breed WCB polish with Naked Necks and Silkies. We ordered him NN, and WCB. My other son got some Phoenix and lakenvelders ( does anyone have those breeds?) but wants to focus on Runner ducks.. My husband got A Jersey Giant. And I got Brahmas, Wyandottes and Cochins. I can't Waite to have a broody hen !!